Free concert to feature Christian youth bands

Maumee Bay State Park Amphitheater will play host June 17 to four Christian youth bands.

The bands will play the free concert, Hooked on Jesus, with the first band, Revolution, from Mainstreet Church, performing at 5 p.m.

Rew!nd, from St. Mark Lutheran, will perform at 6:15 p.m. Face Like Flint, from McCord Road Christian, and Altars of Athens, also from McCord, will perform afterward at 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively.

Rew!ind

“People will come out and hear the message they have to say through their music,” said Keith Klewer, manager for Rew!nd and father of two of the band members.

Last year, the concert had three bands, including both Rew!nd and Revolution. The name was changed this year to Hooked on Jesus.

Revolution, which has been practicing for a month for the concert, plays a lot of Hillsong United music as a cover band, said Matt Schermbeck, bass player and a singer for Revolution.

Klewer said Rew!nd wrote its own music in preparation for the concert.

He said he has been putting the concert together since January in an effort to expand the concert.

“Hopefully, it’ll grow every year and we can turn it into a yearly event,” he said.

He said it was important that the bands would all put in the same amount of effort so no band is headlining or opening for another.

The sacrifices the band members make for that level of commitment makes him proud, he said. Rew!nd band members sometimes have to wake up early or haul equipment in the rain to provide worship, and they do it willingly, he said.

“I think when you see kids this age playing this music, it’s kind of refreshing,” Klewer said, “because there are so many avenues to go through.”

He said he is inspired to see the youth “on fire for Jesus” and willing to make the necessary commitments.

The bands will probably be at the amphitheater from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., he said, with a disc jockey from YesFM radio introducing the bands.

YesFM radio interviewed Revolution and Rew!nd June 10 on-air and the radio station will interview Face Like Flint and Altars of Athens June 15 said Klewer.

With the press from the radio station, he is hoping to see a lot of blankets at the event and picnic baskets at the event.

“We’re looking to have a really good time,” he said.

18-year-old Schermbeck said he hopes for a bigger crowd this year after a lot of media attention.

“We had a lot of fun last year,” he said. “It was just a great concert. It was great to play for people, too. We’re hoping this year is about the same.”

He said he didn’t want to give a number for the crowd size he was hoping for.

“We play Christian worship music. The reason we come is not for other people to see us play. It’s because we want to glorify Jesus. It’s just what we believe.”